The Build Factory Market: Or how I learned to love the Durian

I will never forget my first visit to a Thai Market. How can you forget? The sights, the sounds and (in particular) the smells will literally take your breath away. You will likely have many questions. These are probably questions I still can’t help you answer. The most common one you will ask is ‘What on Earth is that?’ But more specific questions may go along the lines of ‘Is that Pig Face fit for human consumption?’, ‘How did that possibly end up getting printed on a Tshirt?’Or “Why is there a grown man walking round with a plastic Bubble Gun?’. It is a confusing and overwhelming experience which can be best summarised by one of its most famous and popular products; The Durian.

The King of Fruits

The Durian, also known as the King of the Fruits, has quite a reputation. Your first experience of it may be in the taxi on your way to the market. You will see a sign illustrating No Smoking, No Pets, No Guns and No Durian. From the context of the sign you may infer that this round spiky object is some kind of weapon. Your first sight of one will only reinforce this idea. Durian is roughly the size and weight of a bowling ball, only covered in large, heavy spikes.They need to be handled with Heavy Duty gardening gloves. So, they may not have the visual appeal of say, a Strawberry. But what about the taste..? Photo by: Jeng Shin License: CC BY-SA 2.0

I love the smell of Durian in the Morning

There was a very good reason you were not allowed to take Durian in your taxi. It’s because so many people find the odour so repulsively vile. The smell is almost indescribable but my best attempt would be like a sweet gasoline with a hint of garlic. After smelling it once you will have your own ideas and will never fail to recognise the smell ever again. The taste is just as unique as the smell. The creamy textured flesh was described by comedian Bill Bailey as being like ‘A Quiche left in a car for four days’. So why do so many people love it?

An acquired taste

If you are from France, there’s a good chance you will enjoy stinky cheeses. From Australia and you will likely eat Vegemite straight out of the tube. If you are Thai, you will probably love Durian. When first tasting Durian, it is worth keeping in mind the first time you tried a beer. If your experience was anything like mine, you would have thought it was horrible and bitter, before you realised it was the greatest drink in the world.The more I eat Durian, the more I like it. You start to learn how different they can taste. Some sweeter, some creamier and you will develop your own preferences. You can learn to use the small wooden stick to knock an unopened Durian to hear if it is ripe. Don’t get me wrong, Durian might not be for you. But just like a genuine Thai market, you have to try it once. Photo by: momovieman License: CC BY 2.0

The Build Factory Market

There is, of course, a lot more to the Build Factory market than just Durian. Spicy Hotdogs, Fried Chicken, Sushi, Thai style sweets and other less controversial fruits are all worth trying. The large displays of all the items you never needed are fascinating to browse through. And if you want a full length Hello Kitty outfit then you have come to the right place. If you are looking for cheap T-shirts and counterfeit electronics then you are better of going to the more touristy market in Bang Niang. But, if you want a real glimpse into the Thai way of thinking, then the Build Factory Market is the King of the Markets.

Build Factory Market Kicks off about 2pm every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday and starts to close down around 10pm. It is still relatively new so it grows bigger and bigger as the weeks go by. It is well worth a visit and don’t forget to try the Durian.